@article{ThomaThomessenGardietal.2023, author = {Thoma, Andreas and Thomessen, Karolin and Gardi, Alessandro and Fisher, A. and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Prioritising paths: An improved cost function for local path planning for UAV in medical applications}, series = {The Aeronautical Journal}, journal = {The Aeronautical Journal}, number = {First View}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0001-9240 (Print)}, doi = {10.1017/aer.2023.68}, pages = {1 -- 18}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Even the shortest flight through unknown, cluttered environments requires reliable local path planning algorithms to avoid unforeseen obstacles. The algorithm must evaluate alternative flight paths and identify the best path if an obstacle blocks its way. Commonly, weighted sums are used here. This work shows that weighted Chebyshev distances and factorial achievement scalarising functions are suitable alternatives to weighted sums if combined with the 3DVFH* local path planning algorithm. Both methods considerably reduce the failure probability of simulated flights in various environments. The standard 3DVFH* uses a weighted sum and has a failure probability of 50\% in the test environments. A factorial achievement scalarising function, which minimises the worst combination of two out of four objective functions, reaches a failure probability of 26\%; A weighted Chebyshev distance, which optimises the worst objective, has a failure probability of 30\%. These results show promise for further enhancements and to support broader applicability.}, language = {en} } @article{CheenakulaPaulsenOttetal.2023, author = {Cheenakula, Dheeraja and Paulsen, Svea and Ott, Fabian and Gr{\"o}mping, Markus}, title = {Operational window of a deammonifying sludge for mainstream application in a municipal wastewater treatment plant}, series = {Water and Environment Journal}, journal = {Water and Environment Journal}, number = {Early View}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Chichester}, issn = {1747-6593}, doi = {10.1111/wej.12898}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present work aimed to study the mainstream feasibility of the deammonifying sludge of side stream of municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) in Kaster, Germany. For this purpose, the deammonifying sludge available at the side stream was investigated for nitrogen (N) removal with respect to the operational factors temperature (15-30°C), pH value (6.0-8.0) and chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio (≤1.5-6.0). The highest and lowest N-removal rates of 0.13 and 0.045 kg/(m³ d) are achieved at 30 and 15°C, respectively. Different conditions of pH and COD/N ratios in the SBRs of Partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) significantly influenced both the metabolic processes and associated N-removal rates. The scientific insights gained from the current work signifies the possibility of mainstream PN/A at WWTPs. The current study forms a solid basis of operational window for the upcoming semi-technical trails to be conducted prior to the full-scale mainstream PN/A at WWTP Kaster and WWTPs globally.}, language = {en} } @article{Pfaff2023, author = {Pfaff, Raphael}, title = {Braking distance prediction for vehicle consist in low-speed on-sight operation: a Monte Carlo approach}, series = {Railway Engineering Science}, volume = {31}, journal = {Railway Engineering Science}, number = {2}, publisher = {SpringerOpen}, issn = {2662-4753 (eISSN)}, doi = {10.1007/s40534-023-00303-7}, pages = {135 -- 144}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The first and last mile of a railway journey, in both freight and transit applications, constitutes a high effort and is either non-productive (e.g. in the case of depot operations) or highly inefficient (e.g. in industrial railways). These parts are typically managed on-sight, i.e. with no signalling and train protection systems ensuring the freedom of movement. This is possible due to the rather short braking distances of individual vehicles and shunting consists. The present article analyses the braking behaviour of such shunting units. For this purpose, a dedicated model is developed. It is calibrated on published results of brake tests and validated against a high-definition model for low-speed applications. Based on this model, multiple simulations are executed to obtain a Monte Carlo simulation of the resulting braking distances. Based on the distribution properties and established safety levels, the risk of exceeding certain braking distances is evaluated and maximum braking distances are derived. Together with certain parameters of the system, these can serve in the design and safety assessment of driver assistance systems and automation of these processes.}, language = {en} } @article{KowalewskiBragardHueningetal.2023, author = {Kowalewski, Paul and Bragard, Michael and H{\"u}ning, Felix and De Doncker, Rik W.}, title = {An inexpensive Wiegand-sensor-based rotary encoder without rotating magnets for use in electrical drives}, series = {IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement}, publisher = {IEEE}, issn = {0018-9456 (Print)}, doi = {10.1109/TIM.2023.3326166}, pages = {10 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This paper introduces an inexpensive Wiegand-sensor-based rotary encoder that avoids rotating magnets and is suitable for electrical-drive applications. So far, Wiegand-sensor-based encoders usually include a magnetic pole wheel with rotating permanent magnets. These encoders combine the disadvantages of an increased magnet demand and a limited maximal speed due to the centripetal force acting on the rotating magnets. The proposed approach reduces the total demand of permanent magnets drastically. Moreover, the rotating part is manufacturable from a single piece of steel, which makes it very robust and cheap. This work presents the theoretical operating principle of the proposed approach and validates its benefits on a hardware prototype. The presented proof-of-concept prototype achieves a mechanical resolution of 4.5 ° by using only 4 permanent magnets, 2Wiegand sensors and a rotating steel gear wheel with 20 teeth.}, language = {en} } @article{DigelAkimbekovRogachevetal.2023, author = {Digel, Ilya and Akimbekov, Nuraly and Rogachev, Evgeniy and Pogorelova, Natalia}, title = {Bacterial cellulose produced by Medusomyces gisevii on glucose and sucrose: biosynthesis and structural properties}, series = {Cellulose}, journal = {Cellulose}, publisher = {Springer Science + Business Media}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1572-882X (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s10570-023-05592-z}, pages = {15 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In this work, the effects of carbon sources and culture media on the production and structural properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) synthesized by Medusomyces gisevii have been studied. The culture medium was composed of different initial concentrations of glucose or sucrose dissolved in 0.4\% extract of plain green tea. Parameters of the culture media (titratable acidity, substrate conversion degree etc.) were monitored daily for 20 days of cultivation. The BC pellicles produced on different carbon sources were characterized in terms of biomass yield, crystallinity and morphology by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Our results showed that Medusomyces gisevii had higher BC yields in media with sugar concentrations close to 10 g L-1 after a 18-20 days incubation period. Glucose in general lead to a higher BC yield (173 g L-1) compared to sucrose (163.5 g L-1). The BC crystallinity degree and surface roughness were higher in the samples synthetized from sucrose. Obtained FE-SEM micrographs show that the BC pellicles synthesized in the sucrose media contained densely packed tangles of cellulose fibrils whereas the BC produced in the glucose media displayed rather linear geometry of the BC fibrils without noticeable aggregates.}, language = {en} } @article{ThomessenThomaBraun2023, author = {Thomessen, Karolin and Thoma, Andreas and Braun, Carsten}, title = {Bio-inspired altitude changing extension to the 3DVFH* local obstacle avoidance algorithm}, series = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, journal = {CEAS Aeronautical Journal}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Wien}, issn = {1869-5590 (Online)}, doi = {10.1007/s13272-023-00691-w}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Obstacle avoidance is critical for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating autonomously. Obstacle avoidance algorithms either rely on global environment data or local sensor data. Local path planners react to unforeseen objects and plan purely on local sensor information. Similarly, animals need to find feasible paths based on local information about their surroundings. Therefore, their behavior is a valuable source of inspiration for path planning. Bumblebees tend to fly vertically over far-away obstacles and horizontally around close ones, implying two zones for different flight strategies depending on the distance to obstacles. This work enhances the local path planner 3DVFH* with this bio-inspired strategy. The algorithm alters the goal-driven function of the 3DVFH* to climb-preferring if obstacles are far away. Prior experiments with bumblebees led to two definitions of flight zone limits depending on the distance to obstacles, leading to two algorithm variants. Both variants reduce the probability of not reaching the goal of a 3DVFH* implementation in Matlab/Simulink. The best variant, 3DVFH*b-b, reduces this probability from 70.7 to 18.6\% in city-like worlds using a strong vertical evasion strategy. Energy consumption is higher, and flight paths are longer compared to the algorithm version with pronounced horizontal evasion tendency. A parameter study analyzes the effect of different weighting factors in the cost function. The best parameter combination shows a failure probability of 6.9\% in city-like worlds and reduces energy consumption by 28\%. Our findings demonstrate the potential of bio-inspired approaches for improving the performance of local path planning algorithms for UAV.}, language = {en} } @article{SildatkeKarwanniKraftetal.2023, author = {Sildatke, Michael and Karwanni, Hendrik and Kraft, Bodo and Z{\"u}ndorf, Albert}, title = {A distributed microservice architecture pattern for the automated generation of information extraction pipelines}, series = {SN Computer Science}, journal = {SN Computer Science}, number = {4, Article number: 833}, publisher = {Springer Singapore}, address = {Singapore}, issn = {2661-8907}, doi = {10.1007/s42979-023-02256-4}, pages = {19 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Companies often build their businesses based on product information and therefore try to automate the process of information extraction (IE). Since the information source is usually heterogeneous and non-standardized, classic extract, transform, load techniques reach their limits. Hence, companies must implement the newest findings from research to tackle the challenges of process automation. They require a flexible and robust system that is extendable and ensures the optimal processing of the different document types. This paper provides a distributed microservice architecture pattern that enables the automated generation of IE pipelines. Since their optimal design is individual for each input document, the system ensures the ad-hoc generation of pipelines depending on specific document characteristics at runtime. Furthermore, it introduces the automated quality determination of each available pipeline and controls the integration of new microservices based on their impact on the business value. The introduced system enables fast prototyping of the newest approaches from research and supports companies in automating their IE processes. Based on the automated quality determination, it ensures that the generated pipelines always meet defined business requirements when they come into productive use.}, language = {en} } @article{AlnemerKotliarNeuhausetal.2023, author = {Alnemer, Momin Sami Mohammad and Kotliar, Konstantin and Neuhaus, Valentin and Pape, Hans-Christoph and Ciritsis, Bernhard D.}, title = {Cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical proximal femur fracture prevention in elderly: a Markov cohort simulation model}, series = {Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation}, journal = {Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation}, number = {21, Article number: 77}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {1478-7547}, doi = {10.1186/s12962-023-00482-4}, pages = {12 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Hip fractures are a common and costly health problem, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, as well as high costs for healthcare systems, especially for the elderly. Implementing surgical preventive strategies has the potential to improve the quality of life and reduce the burden on healthcare resources, particularly in the long term. However, there are currently limited guidelines for standardizing hip fracture prophylaxis practices. Methods This study used a cost-effectiveness analysis with a finite-state Markov model and cohort simulation to evaluate the primary and secondary surgical prevention of hip fractures in the elderly. Patients aged 60 to 90 years were simulated in two different models (A and B) to assess prevention at different levels. Model A assumed prophylaxis was performed during the fracture operation on the contralateral side, while Model B included individuals with high fracture risk factors. Costs were obtained from the Centers for Medicare \& Medicaid Services, and transition probabilities and health state utilities were derived from available literature. The baseline assumption was a 10\% reduction in fracture risk after prophylaxis. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to assess the reliability and variability of the results. Results With a 10\% fracture risk reduction, model A costs between \$8,850 and \$46,940 per quality-adjusted life-year (\$/QALY). Additionally, it proved most cost-effective in the age range between 61 and 81 years. The sensitivity analysis established that a reduction of ≥ 2.8\% is needed for prophylaxis to be definitely cost-effective. The cost-effectiveness at the secondary prevention level was most sensitive to the cost of the contralateral side's prophylaxis, the patient's age, and fracture treatment cost. For high-risk patients with no fracture history, the cost-effectiveness of a preventive strategy depends on their risk profile. In the baseline analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio at the primary prevention level varied between \$11,000/QALY and \$74,000/QALY, which is below the defined willingness to pay threshold. Conclusion Due to the high cost of hip fracture treatment and its increased morbidity, surgical prophylaxis strategies have demonstrated that they can significantly relieve the healthcare system. Various key assumptions facilitated the modeling, allowing for adequate room for uncertainty. Further research is needed to evaluate health-state-associated risks.}, language = {en} } @article{JanusAchtsnichtDrinicetal.2023, author = {Janus, Kevin Alexander and Achtsnicht, Stefan and Drinic, Aleksander and Kopp, Alexander and Keusgen, Michael and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Transient magnesium-based thin-film temperature sensor on a flexible, bioabsorbable substrate for future medical applications}, series = {Applied Research}, journal = {Applied Research}, number = {Accepted manuscript}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, issn = {2702-4288 (Print)}, doi = {10.1002/appl.202300102}, pages = {22 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In this work, the bioabsorbable materials, namely fibroin, polylactide acid (PLA), magnesium and magnesium oxide are investigated for their application as transient, resistive temperature detectors (RTD). For this purpose, a thin-film magnesium-based meander-like electrode is deposited onto a flexible, bioabsorbable substrate (fibroin or PLA) and encapsulated (passivated) by additional magnesium oxide layers on top and below the magnesium-based electrode. The morphology of different layered RTDs is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The sensor performance and lifetime of the RTD is characterized both under ambient atmospheric conditions between 30°C and 43°C, and wet tissue-like conditions with a constant temperature regime of 37°C. The latter triggers the degradation process of the magnesium-based layers. The 3-layers RTDs on a PLA substrate could achieve a lifetime of 8.5 h. These sensors also show the best sensor performance under ambient atmospheric conditions with a mean sensitivity of 0.48 Ω/°C ± 0.01 Ω/°C.}, language = {en} } @article{KarschuckSchmidtAchtsnichtetal.2023, author = {Karschuck, Tobias and Schmidt, Stefan and Achtsnicht, Stefan and Poghossian, Arshak and Wagner, Patrick and Sch{\"o}ning, Michael Josef}, title = {Multiplexing system for automated characterization of a capacitive field-effect sensor array}, series = {Physica Status Solidi A}, volume = {220}, journal = {Physica Status Solidi A}, number = {22}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1862-6300 (Print)}, doi = {10.1002/pssa.202300265}, pages = {7 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {In comparison to single-analyte devices, multiplexed systems for a multianalyte detection offer a reduced assay time and sample volume, low cost, and high throughput. Herein, a multiplexing platform for an automated quasi-simultaneous characterization of multiple (up to 16) capacitive field-effect sensors by the capacitive-voltage (C-V) and the constant-capacitance (ConCap) mode is presented. The sensors are mounted in a newly designed multicell arrangement with one common reference electrode and are electrically connected to the impedance analyzer via the base station. A Python script for the automated characterization of the sensors executes the user-defined measurement protocol. The developed multiplexing system is tested for pH measurements and the label-free detection of ligand-stabilized, charged gold nanoparticles.}, language = {en} }